Nobody enjoys doing chores around the home. If we're being honest there are many other things we'd rather do in our spare time.And when it comes to selling your home, you might be forgiven for thinking that you can start cutting back on important jobs.

This is a huge mistake...

In order to maximize your return on the sale, it's essential that the property is in tip top condition. Leaving your job list to the next owners makes your home less desirable in that it may not look at its best and will tend to make buyers think they are better off elsewhere, purchasing a home that is truly move-in ready. It can also lead to reduced offers, compared with what your home might achieve if you leave it in first class condition.

It should also be remembered that a home inspection will reveal any major issues, so don't leave anything to chance.Here are some important areas for special diligence as you prepare to list:

Heating/Air Conditioning - Make sure these systems get their annual/seasonal check ups. Imagine the embarrassment if they fail just before you have someone calling to view the home...

Lawns/Yards - Outside work can be among the most physically demanding, so it's naturally one of those chores that people like to cut back prior to moving. What a massive error. Your front lawn is one of the most vital components of that all important initial curb appeal impression. And who wants to move in to a home and face a big list of things to put right in the garden...

Critter Control - Don't cancel your regular exterior bug spray. Critters are attracted to neglected properties, so make sure they don't get a foothold and concern your home viewers.

Roof/Gutters - Don't wait until a home inspection reveals serious issues. Inspect the roof for faults and make sure gutters are clear of debris. If a potential buyer visits when it's raining, the last thing they want to see is overflowing rainwater which can damage foundations.

Cleaning Regime - Regular vacuuming and dusting of your rooms should not only be maintained but stepped up. You want everything looking as pristine as possible and regular cleaning ensures you'll have the minimum fine tuning to carry out just prior to a viewing.

Early Packing - While it's good to get ahead with your plans, don't start boxing up your stuff before the home is sold, unless you are going to put in a storage unit of some kind. And never make the error of piling a spare room with boxes. Buyers will be making a point of inspecting every area of the home.

Sweat The Details - You might think what's the point of changing every light bulb that fails or faucet that leaks, when you're getting close to leaving the home. The reality is that buyers tend to inspect a home at a forensic level, so any minor problem that's unearthed will often lead to the thought that other, larger, problems remain to be discovered. Pay attention to these details and make sure the home is fully functional, right down to the smallest item.

Vacated Homes - If, for whatever reason, the home that you're selling is already vacated, everything above will need even more special attention as you won't be there 24/7 to fault find. If this is impractical, due to your living far from the property, consider hiring home maintenance professionals to look after this for you.

We hope at least some of these points are helpful. As ever, here at The Hyland Group we are happy to assist you with any questions you may have concerning real estate, so feel free to call us at 928-445-2100.